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At present, when I am done surfing, I disconnect from the internet and then turn my computer off. I have been told it is OK to turn off from the internet. Will turning off from the internet affect my computer in any way?
Thanks in advance!
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Go start and and select turn off computer no need to shut down internet separately.
There is a free program. Slawdog Smart Shut Down. It is on CNET downloads. Simply install it and one click closes programs and shuts down your computer in seconds, no problem. I have been using it for a couple years, and it works great.
Xp suggest that the best way to turn off the computer is:
1.Disconnect from the internet,(if you are)
2.Finish or end any work you're doing which requiers saving.
3.Close all programs by the X on the top of the right corner.
4.Open start menu, choose turn off computer...
5.When the screen is totally Black, with nothing, turn off the monitor if this one requiers so and the cpu as well.
HOW do you disconnect from the internet? I'm on cable. I do close all browsers and email programs as well as any other programs I was using, before going to Start - Turn off computer - Turn off.
The teen children of a friend of mine regularly used the POWER BAR to shut down the system without backing out of anything. They had a Compaq Pressario with Win98.
The hard drive was damaged and they had to buy a new tower and now have an HP Pavillion with WinXP.
Just hit the power button and walk away. If your computer is 6 billion years old run it through the shut down process yourself and walk away. No window closing necesary, no worries about temp files eating you when you boot up again.
Jeez, some people are so anal.
to you and whatever programs that you are running when you just hit the power button. The anality that you refer to comes from lots of people with apparently lots more time and experience dealing with computers than you bring to bear. I expect to see you in the forums some day soon asking how to recover lost data.........
I use XP, and always end all active programs, then start button, and turn off.. Maybe it's a bit longer, but somehow feels safer..
I have 2 laptops and love the hibernation feature. But on my Toshiba I've gotten the blue screen twice when coming out of hibernation saying that windows had a serious error. Has made me wonder if leaving it in hibernation too long caused the problem. Never had that with IBM. Toshiba is running XP Home Edition. The IBM is running XP Professional.
I would suggest always turn off all programs first, doesn't much matter after that.
I always shut down my programs, close Windows and power down my PC when its not in use. Yes, from an engineering standpoint they are designed to be run 24/7 but from a security standpoint they are also vulnerable 24/7 if you leave them on and connected to the internet. Granted when using a good firewall, antivirus and anti-spyware software the risk may be small but its there. When the system is off the risk is zero.
It all comes down to which is more important to you: the convenience of a rapid startup or the absolute security you gain by powering down.
both my girlfriend and one of my mates used this policy and both had hard drives go down within 18 months. both using brand new Packard Bell Pc's.
I on the other hand leave my computer switched on 24/7 but only connecte to the internet when i'm physically sat in front of it.
This way nothing can get in or out of the pc without you knowing about it, my pc's connection to the phoneline is also unplugged when i'm not using the net.
my machine's been running 24hrs without any real problems for nearly 3 years.
but reading other posts i guess i'm just lucky regarding windows crashes. as for hard drive faliures i'm convinced there is an element in the way a pc is treated day to day
Then push button,turning off computers for dummies sold at nearest book store.
Golden, You were the one hundredth and one post.
Congratulations on posting.
I wish I could send you a prize, versus a thank you!
How about a thank you twice!! Thank You, Thank You.
I have already posted before and this post does not effect Golden or count. Nice post.
Does anyone really know how interesting these forums are? 101! WOW!
-Kevin
Who would have thought that a simple question like this would elicit so many replies. (107 including this one)
Wonder how many I'll get for my next thread
Close your internet connection and run disk cleanup (I've pinned mine to the start menu to save time) to keep your pc running better, but instead of shutting down you should time all maintenance programs such as full system anti-virus scans to take place during the night. The result: a cleaner faster running pc which you don't have to waste time maintaining (maintenance progs will tell you if they find a problem) and instant start-up when you want it.
I also have an extra alarm (Kirby Alarm available from Cnet downloads) on my pc for those mornings when I sleep through my bedside alarm, so for me it's essential to leave it running!
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